Pumping system



(14157/65565 ha l l mmh-1b, 1925. 1,529,566

E. s. AIKMAN ET AL PUMPNG, SYSTEM Filed Jan. Sl, 1919 Sheets-Shet 2 l @Een C /k "NJ- March 1o, 1925. y .1,529,566-

E..v v`s. AIKMAN ET AL j jPU'n'iPINGsYsTEM Filed Jan, 31, 1919 F ww- :Siy

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Patented Mar. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFiCE.

BURTON S. AIKMAN AND PETER C, MCNULTY, JR., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, AS-

SIGNORS TO. UNITED PUMP t POWER CCMPANY, OF BIILIVAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A

CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PUMPING SYSTEM.

Application led January 31, 1919. Serial No. 274,195.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, BURTON S. AinMAN and PETER C. MCNUL'rr, Jr., citizens of the United States, residing at lvlilwaukee. in the county of Milwaukee and State of IVisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pumping Systemspf which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the drawings forming a part of-this specification.

Our invention relates to pumping systems, particularly to that class commonly known as faucet controlled systems, in which the fluid driven displacement pump is submerged in the water at the bottom of the well and the operation of the pump is made dependent upon opening a faucet or other outlet, the system being normally closed upon the water side.

Our'invention is not concerned with the det-ails of the fluid driven displacement pump except as to whether a single or multiple cylinder displacement pump is to be used, as will be described in the specification and pointed out in the claims.

Heretofore in the prior art it has been customary to store the air in a reservoir varying in size up to a thousand or fifteen hundred gallons and charge this to a pressure much higher than the pressure required to elevate the water to the fixtures with the proper pressure and to both automatically and by engine replenish the pressure in the reservoir when it drops to a predetermined point. On account of the fact that the reservoir pressure was much higher than that required to elevate the water, it was necessary to use a pressure reducing valve so that the pressure applied to the fluid driven pump should not be excessive and to prevent a cousequent waste of the compressed iiuid.

In this arrangement the automatic starting and stopping switch is controlled by the fluctuating pressure in the air reservoir so that if the air supply is wasted due to leaks which cause a drop in. the pressure` the automatic switch automaticr-rlly starts the motor and the compressor and roplenishcs the loss.

In our improved system the air is applied directly to the pump without the necessity of storing in a reservoir and without. the necessity of a pressure reducing or regulating valve and the water or other liquid is raised from the well to the consumption system without either an air or water storage reservoir with the system.

IVe have thereby elfected a great saving in the firstcost of the entire plant by the elimination of the expensive steel storage tank and pressure regulating valve and we have effected a saving in operation due to the fact that whenever water is required the air is applied to the pump at just the proper pressure at which the water is to be elevated to the fixtures causing a pressure saving therefrom by lowering the average pressure a ghich the fluid compressor must be opera e IVe have also been able to decrease the cost of delivering Water per thousand gallons due to the fact that the air compressor need not be operated at a pressure greater than that required to supply the water to the fixtures at the proper flow.

lith our improved system a smaller size compressor and prime mover is required than was formerly used on account of the fact that it is customary to select a compressor and prime mover sufliciently large to charge the storage reservoir at a more rapid rate than would be required if the air were applied directly to the pump.

The prime mover and compressor employed in our system are preferably of a capacity equal to or slightly greater than would be required to supply the pump when discharging at a maximum rate. As a result we have a complete system which is automatically started in motion by the opening of a faucet or other outlet. The compressor and fluid displacement pump form merely a link which is suitable to a great varietv of adaptations between the prime mover and the faucets.

Our invention further provides a system wherein the operation of the air displacement pump is adapted to be controlled by the pressure of the water discharge line although the pump may be controlled by the pressure of the compressed air motive fluid supply pipe if so desired. This motive fluid supply pipe leads directly from the compressor to the operating cylinder or cylinders of the fluid driven pump in this invention. If the system is controlled by the fluctuating pressure in the water discharge line it is not necessary to replenish the loss of airl pressure due to any leaks from the pipe between the compressor and the pump when the system stands unused during long intervals.

I-n some water supply systems the normal demand upon the system is relatively small, but relatively great demands are often made upon the system for comparatively short periods of time. For such cases we have provided our improved system in connection with a gravity tank, the pump and compresser being substantially equal to or slightly greater than what is required to meet the normal demands made upon the system and the open gravity tank being of sutlicient capacity to supply the di'erence between the demand and the capacity of the system when relatively great demands are made upon the system for short periods of time.

In order that those skilled in the art may be fully acquainted with the nature and scope of' our invention, we shall describe a specific embodiment of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of the present specification.

Figure l is a diagrammatic view of a system embodying our invention, in which a single cylinder fluid driven displacementpump is controlled by the pressure in the water discharge main;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a modification illustrating our improved system in connection with an open gravity tank, the automat-ic controlling element being remote from the tank;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a system embodying our invention, in which a multiple cylinder fluid driven displacement pump is controlled by the rise and fall el pressure in the water discharge main;

Figure et is a diagrammatic view of a system showing another type of automatic controlling element in connection therewith;

Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the automatic controlling element used in connection with the system shown in Figure il;

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the same;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of a modification in which the admission and exhaust of the fluid driven displacement pump is controlled by valve mechanism at the head of the well governed by the level of the water in a small tank which serves also as a. steady flow chamber;

Figure S is a vertical sectional view of the tank 1n which a variable artificial head is maintained both for controlling the strokes of the pump and as a steady flow chamber shown in elevation in the system of Figure 7, showing also the float controlled valve mechanism used in connection therewith.

In the diagram of Figure 1 the pumping system comprises a single cylinder fluid displacement pump 1. submerged at a suitable distance below the level of the water in the well 2. Our present invention is not concerned with the details of the pump except that the embodiment shown in Figure l is particularly adapted for a single cylinder bump. The single cylinder pump 1 has leading therefrom three pipes, an air or fluid supply pipe 3, an exhaust pipe 4 and a water or liquid discharge pipe 'ljhe air supply pipe 23 leads directly from a compressor G which is of' a capacity equal to or slightly greater than would be required to supply the pump l when discharging at a maximum rate, against a maximum head.

The compressor 6 is driven by means of an electric motor 7, a suitable belt 8 connecting the compressor and the motor although suitable gears or a. silent chain may be used if so desired. The compressor 6 and motor 7 are. mounted upon a common base or slab l0, a belt tightener 9 adapted for co-operation with the belt 8 is also mounted upon the slab 10. It is, of course, understood that a. sliding base for the motor may be used instead of the belt tightener 9 if' so desired. A pop safety valve 1l is pro-vided in the head of the compressor 6 in the air discharge passage. rlhis pop safety valve l1 is provided in order to protect the compressor and the pipe line from strain should the compressor be operating when the pressure in the pipe line is above that at which the automatic controlling switch 1S is set to cut out, such as might result should the air pipe become clogged. A small release cock 1.2 is provided in the air supply pipe line il. T he purpose of' this release cock is to release the air pressure in the pipe line in case it is necessary, for any reason. to restart or reprime the pump, as will be hereinafter described.

The exhaust pipe el allows the trapped air or motive fluid to exhaust 'from the pump during the refilling period thereof, as will be well understood by those skilled in the art.

The water discharge pipe 5 leads to the head of the well l and is there connected te the delivery main 13 and to the branch pipe line l-l by means of a 'T 15 and a short pipe connection 16 respectively. The delivery main 13 leads to the branch pipe 16, which in turn leads to an outlet faucet 17. The branch pipe line 14: leads up thru the base o-r slab 10 and is connected with a suitable autoina-tic electric pressure controlling switch 1S mounted upon the slab.

le have provided a steady flow air chainber 19 connected into the short pipe connection 16 thereby placing it directly in the discharge main of the pump. Obviously when the water in the discharge pipe is under pressure, as it is practically all the time, a certain amount of water is forced up into the chamber 19. This action compresses the air in this chamber and thereby forms a pressure which is maintained as long as the pressure is not relieved. As soon as the pressure is relieved, during the Fr-u' seconds when its single chamber being refilled by the well as the air is exhausting from the cylinder, this air in the chamber 19 expands, and in doing so it forces out the water which has become trapped in the chamber 19, thereby providing a steady fow of water from the faucets during the rcfilling period of the pump. lt will be apparent that the air in the chamber 19 thus acts as a cushion in that it absorbs the extra force during the discharging period of the pump and gives it out during the refilling period of the pump.

It will be noted that we have provided a stop and waste cock having an air vent 21 just below the chamber 19 so that if this chamber becomes waterlogged and the flow f water from the faucet 17 is intermittent, the chamber may be drained by closing the stop and waste cock. This action closes the chamber 19 off from the water pipe and opens the vent or waste port 21, permitting the chamber to drain and refill with air.

To install the system the pump with its air supply and water discharge pipes is lowered into the well. The pipes are connected up as shown and the current is turned on by means of the snap switch 20.

The air compressor 1 will then begin to operate supplying air directly to the pump 1 without an air tank, thereby increasing thc pressure in the pump until it is sufficient to elevate the water. As soon as tl e pressure is suflicient to elevate the water, the pump will begin filling up the pipe lines until the pressure in the branch pipe 14 reaches the point at which the electric pressure controlling switch 18 is set to cut out, whereupon this controlling switch will immediately operate to stop the motor 7.

Upon opening the faucet 17 the water will flow out thru the water discharge pipe 5 and then thru the faucet 17 by way of the delivery main 13 and the branch pipe 16. As has been heretofore pointed out the air chamber 19 acts as an air cushion and provides a steady or constant rate of llow from the faucet. It will now be apparent that upon opening the faucet 1T, the pressure in the delivery main 18, discharge pipe 5 and consequently in the branch pipe line 14 will immediately drop to the pressure at which the controlling switch 18 is set to cut in, thereby starting the entire system into operation. It will be understood that the complete syst-em is automatically started in motion by the opening of the faucet 17.v the motor and the compressor being of a capacity equal to or slightly greater than would be required to supply the pump 1 when discharging at a maximum rate against. a maximum head. Thus it will be seen that we have provided a pumping system that will be automatically started and stopped upon opening and closing the faucets, the air displacement pump of the system being automatically controlled by the fluctuating pressure in the water side of the pump.

It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that by controlling an air displacement pump by the fluctuating pressure in the water side of the pump we have effected a. great saving, due to not having to supply air leaks when the pump is not in operation. Leaks occurring in a system such as that just described would simply result in draining the air from the air supply pipe line, having no further effect on the system, the cutting in of the controlling switch 18 being eli'ected only upon a drop of pressure in the water side of the pump, such as would result upon opening the faucet.

In Figure 2 we have shown a system that is particularly adapted for use wherein the normal demand upon the system is relatively small but wherein relatively great demands are made upon the system for short periods of time. This can probably be best illustrated by a syste-m used for furnishing water to a school house or the like. In such a system the normal demand thereon is relatively small, but relatively great demands are made upon the system for comparatively short periods of time, as for instance, during the recess periods of the school day.

In this case the water discharge pipe 5 leads from the pump 1 to the head of the well 2 and is there connected by means of a T 15 to a delivery main 25 and to a branch pipe line 26. This pipe line leads directly to the automatic controlling switch 18. Theautomatic controlling switch 18 is mounted upon a base or slab 10, this slab forming a common mounting for the compressor 6, motor 7 and belt tightener 9 substantially as described in connection with Figure 1.

A branch pip-e 27 is connected into the delivery main by means of a suitable T 28. This branch pipe 2T extends upwardly adjacent the side of an open gravity tank 29, the upper end of the. pipe being bent back as shown at 30 so that the open end thereof will communicate with theinterior of the tank 29. The iow of water into the tank 29 is controlled by a level controlled valve 81 herein shown as pi-votally mounted upon the open end of the pipe 2T. A float 82 is attached to the valve 81, this float rising and falling with the level of the water in the tank 29 so as to seat the valve 81 upon the open '4r Lacasse end of the pipe 27 and thereby cutoff the flow of water into the tank when a certain predetermined level has been rea-:hed therein. Any suitable forni olf level controlled valve may be employed. The bottom or the tank 29 conununicates with the branch pipe 27 by way of a pipe connection 33. rthe )ipe connection Se is provided with a one way valve therein opening ontw/'ard from the tank so that when the demand made upon the syst-em exceeds the capacity of the coinpressor 6 this difference between the den'iand upon the system and the capacity of the compressor will he provided for by gravity trom the tank 29 to the faucet 17 and other outlets 3d by way of the pipes 33, 2T and the delivery main 25. The valve 555 is preferably provided with a leather', rubber or other soft seating face so that it will be held tight with the pressure of the water in the pipe 27. This prevents any leakage which might cause the tank to overflow. The same construction is preferable in the valve 31.

As this incrcaset demand is for a comparatively short period of time, the tank 29 is of sullicient capacity to provide therefor. As the demand upon the system continues the float 32 will fall with the level of the water in the tank 29, thereby opening the valve 31. Upon closing the faucet 17 and other outlets Se the compressor 6 will continue to operate, thereby elevating water from the pump 1, and as the valve 31 is open it will be impossible to create sufficient pressure in the discharge pipe to cut out the controlling switch 1S. Thus the water will flow from the discharge pipe 5 into thel tank 29 by way of the branch pipe 27 until the level of the water in this tank has been lifted, and until sufficient pressure has accumulated in the discharge pipe to cut out the automatic controlling switch 18 which is controlled by the pressure in the water discharge pipe by way of the branch pipe 26, as has been previously described. Upon closing the valve 31 continued operation of the pressure will incr-ease the pressure in the water discharge pipe line until this pressure reaches the cutting out point of the. automatic controlling switch 1S whereby this switch will immediately operate to stop the motor 7 and compressor (i. It will now be apparent that in this particular embodiment the pressure controlling element is located remote 1rom the open gravity tank 29.

.This system is particularly valuable for furnishing water for drinking fountains in schools and the like, in that wat-er fresh from the well, will be furnished by the pump for all normal demands made upon the system. Obviously this system is started and stopped regardless of the tank .29 as long as the demand upon the system is within the capacity of the pumping unit. During rush periods, that is, periods when the demands upon the system exceed the capacity of the system, the water supplied in order to make up for the difference between the demand upon the system and the capacity of the compressor will be stored water from the tank '29.

In Figure 3 we have illustrated diagrammatically our ii'iiprovcd pumping system iu connection with a double cylinder pump, the operation of the pump being controlled by the pressure. in the wat-er side thereof. This system operates substantially the same as that described in connection with Figure 1, only the air pressure is supplied directly from the compressor (5 to a double cylinder fluid driven displacement pump 48 instead of a single cylinder pump. The pump 4S comprises two similar cylinders i9 and 50, which are operated upon alternately, so that a. steady flow of water will be maintained at the faucet 17 without the use of an air cushion or the like.

Il"he pump employed is preferably of the type disclosed in the application of Burton f5. Aikman, Serial No. 194,846, led October 5, 1917, now Patent No. 1,357,671.

ln Figure 4l we have shown a typical frost proof regulator by which the entire system is controlled directly by the level of the water in the open gravity tank 85.

rl`he frost proof pressure regulator S6 is of a type heretofore known and will not be described indetail except where the same is necessary to set out the function of the same in the present system. Any other form of regulator which is capable of closing the main switch when the level of the water in the open gravity tank 85 has dropped to a predetermined level and which would operate to Open theA main switch when the level of the water in the tank S5 has risen to a predetern'iined level, might be used. Although we have shown the regulator as mounted upon the side of the tank 85 it is to be understood that this regulator could be mounted upon the bottom of the tank if desirable` As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the regulator 8G comprises a diaphragm chamber S7, the pressure of the water in the tank 85 being exerted upon one side of the diaphragm therein, through a column of mercury as will be described. A spring 88 acts upon the opposite side of the diaphragm and in opposition to the pressure oit' the water in the tank 85, this spring being adjustable by means of the nuts 89 so that it will close at the water level desired.

The mercury column leads from the inercury reservoir 90 to the diaphragm chamber 87 through the relatively small diameter piping 91. he pressure of the water in the tank 85, which, of course, varies with the water level in the tank, is transmitted to the diaphragm chamber S7 through this column of mercury in order that the water from the tank 85 will not have to flow out into the lOl) regulator, where it would be subject to freezing.

Upon opening the outlets 34 water will How therefrom until the water level in the tank 85 falls below that. at which the regulator is adjusted to close the switch 94, the spring 88 being adjusted to overcome the pressure of the water acting upon the diaphragm when this predctern'iined water level is reached. The arm 92 will be thereby moved inwardly against the tension of the adjustment spring 93, closing the switch 94. Upon closing the switch 94 the circuit around the magnet coil 95 of the main switch 96 will be closed, thereby drawing the core 97 into the coil 95, closing the main switch 96. The motor 7 is connected to the necessary feed wires 93 and 99 by means of the leads 190, 101 and 102, the main switch 9G controlling this motor circuit, so that when this switch is closed the motor will be immediately started.

The motor 7 will then continue to operate, storing water in the tank 85 until the level of the water in this tank rises above the level at which the regulator is adjusted to open the switch 94. Upon reaching such a level the pressure acting through the mercury column due to this increased head will be suflicient to overcome the tension of the spring 88, whereupon the arm 92 will be moved outwardly,opening the switch 94 and breaking the motor circuit by opening the circuit about the magnet coil 95. The motor circuit will then remain open until the level of the water in the tank 85 again falls below the level at which the regulator is adjusted to close the switch 94, whereupon the motor 7 will be again started substantially as has been described.

In the system shown in Figure 7 the water discharge pipe 5 leads to the head of the well and from there leads to a small tank 111 which serves as a steady How chamber and also as governing head by way of the pipe connections 112. A pipe line 113 leads from the tank 111 to an open gravity tank 110. A check valve 118 may he provided in the pipe line 113 adjacent its point of communication with the tank 119 to prevent the Water in the storage tank 110 from backing into the pipe line 113. Such backing up of the water if it did occur would tend to interfere with the operation of the controlling valves. A delivery main 119 leads from the tank 110 to a water outlet faucet through which water may be drawn from the system as desired. The artilicial level maintained in the chamber 111 is employed as an indication of the conditions in the pump. Hence the variations of level may control the valves for governing admission and exhaust of the pump.

The air supply pipe 121 supplies the compressedair directly from the compressor 6 to the pump 1, when the water level in the chamber 111 has dropped to a predetermined point, as will be hereinafter described. The air supply pipe 121 is provided with a branch pipe 122 connected thereto by means of a suitable T 123. The branch pipe 122 communicates with the chamber 111 by way of a suitable pressure reducing valve 124, whereby the pressure maintained in the chamber 111 is just suicient to lift the water to the open gravity tank 11() and to overcome the friction of the water ilo-wing through the pipes and fittings. The pipes 113 and 116 form a U-shaped water seal between the head or steady flow tank 111 and the open tank 110.

As shown in Figure 8, the chamber 111 comprises a tank having an annular screw socket member 125 at one end thereof for receiving a screw plug 126 which screw plug contains the master valve 127. The master valve 127 governs the passageways 12S-129 and the exhaust port 130. Vhen the valve 127 is in the position shown in Figure 8, the passageways 128129 lead from the interior of the chamber 111 to a pipe line 131 which pipe line leads to a. pressure controlled relay valve 132 at the head of the well. The relay valve 132 may be located down in the well if desired and the pipe 131 leading thereto may be filled with liquid to avoid wasting air when the pressure on the diaphragm is exhausted at the valve 127. The screw plug 126 bears upon its inner surface a supporting rod 133, to which is pivoted a bell crank operating lever 134, the one arm of which lever 134 is connected to a collar 135 mounted on the valve stem 136 of the master valve 127. The other arm of the bell crank lever 134'is connected by a suitable pin to a spring 137 the other end of which spring is connected to a suitable pin on the float lever 138. The inner end of the float lever 13S is pivotally mounted on the supporting rod 133, the opposite end of this `float lever bearing a suitable ioat 139. The downward movement of the float 139 is preferably limited by a stop provided on the lever 138 and a pin or projection provided on the supporting arm 133. This provides a quick operating valve. The reversal of the valve 127 will thus be quick even though the rise or fall in the water level may be slow.

A liquid column is preferably maintained in the pipe line 131 which leads from the chamber 111 to the pressure controlled valve 132. Thus when the master valve 127 is in the position shown in Figure 8, air at the pressure in the steady flow chamber 111, acting on the diaphragm 140 of the valve 132, thru this liquid column forces the'diaphragm 140 which diaphragm carries a double value structure to the right; thereby forcing the valve 141 against its seat 142 closing the exico haust ports 143. The valve 144 is simultaneously moved from its seat 145 wherel'iy compressed air will be conveyed from the compressor (l by way of the pipe line 121 and valve member 146 to the pipe line 147, which pipe line leads down to the pump 1.

In this system the motor 7 is supplied with current thru the necessary feed wires 114 and 117. Leads 152 and 153 connected into either of the feed wires 114 or 117 terminate at a point convenient the open top of the tank 110 and are provided with contact points 154 and 155 of any suitable type. A float 156 having a connecting member 157 projecting upwardly therefrom is adapt ed to rise and fall with the level of the water in the tank 1.10 and thereby start and stop the motor 7 according to the level in this tank. Suitable lost motion means is preferably provided so that a desirable variation of level may be permitted without immediate stopping or starting of the comressor. A throttle valve 150 is provided 1n the pipe line 113 and is so adjusted that when the pump is operating at maximum capacity sutlicient water will be discharged into and retained in the tank to secure operation of the valve 127. Preferably the sizes of the tank and the pump are so proportioned that about half of the discharge stroke of the pump is retained in the tank 111 while the other half is distributed through the line.

Upon openingthe faucet 120, water will flow therefrom from the tank 110 by way of the delivery main 119. As soon as sufii cient water has been withdrawn from the tank to close the contacts 154-155, water will be supplied from the steady flow chamber 111 by the pressure maintained therein thru the pipe line 113 and check valve 118 to the tank 110 in an effort to compensate for the drain upon the water in the tank 110.

As the level in the tank 110 drops the float v156 and connecting member` 157 will fall therewith until the head of the connecting member 157 engages the contact points 154 and 155, thereby starting the motor 7 and compressor 6.

As the level of the water in the steady iow chamber 111 falls, the float 139 and valve 127 will assume the position shown in Figure 8. Air at the pressure prevailing in the chamber 111 will then pass therefrom thru the passageways 128 and 129, acting on the diaphragm 140 of the pressure controlled valve 132, thru the liquid column maintained in the pipe line 131. Due to the relative areas of the diaphragm 140 and the valve 144 the double valve structure will be moved to the right, against the pressure in the pipe line 121, closing off the exhaust ports 143 and opening the valve 144, thereby permitting compressed air to pass directly from the compressor to the pump.

The air thus admitted drives the water out of the pump thru the discharge main 5 into the chamber 111, being discharged in part to the tank 110 by way of the pipe line 113 at each stroke. At each stroke suilicient Water accumulates in the tank 111 to bridge the gap between pump strokes and to cause sufficient rise in the level of the water in the tank 111 to cause shifting of the valve 127.

When the level in the chamber 111 has risen to the proper point, the float 139 will rise sutliciently to throw the operating lever 138 to the other side of the center, thereby shifting the master valve 127 to open the exhust port 130 and close the passageways 12S-129. As the pressure on the liquid column in the pipe line 131 is released thru the exhaust port 130, the double valve struc ture in the pressure controlled valve 132 will be shifted, opening the exhaust ports 143 and closing the valve 144.

As the level in the tank 110 rises the float 156 and connecting member 157 will rise therewith until the head of the connecting member 157 disengages the contact points 154 and 155, whereby the motor and compressor will be immediately stopped.

To install the system the pump with its air supply and water discharge pipes is lowered into the well. After connecting the pipes up as shown, the current may be turned on. In order that compressed air will be properly supplied to the pump, I have provided a pipe connection 158 between the air supply pipe 121 and the pipe line 131. A suitable three-Way valve 159 is employed in the pipe connection 158 whereby air directly from the compressor may be admitted to the pipe line 131, acting thru the liquid column therein to open the valve 144, whereby air will be immediately conveyed from the compressor 6 to the pump 1; discharging water from the pump. After a discharge stroke has been thus caused the three-way valve 144 is operated to cut off pressure from the compressed air pipe 121 and to eX- haust the pressure on the diaphragm 140 of the relay valves. The pump will then have an exhaust and filling stroke, after which the three-way valve 159 may again be shifted to admit pressure to the relay line 131 to cause another discharge stroke. In this way suiiicient water may be discharged into the tank 111 to permit automatic operation being` instituted. The valve 150 may be partially closed during such manual starting of the system.

The prominent and important feature of the present invention is the method of control existing between the faucet and the motor. In each ease the opening of the faucet starts the motor and compressor. The motor and compressor are large enough only to provide air for operation of the pump at its maximum capacity, and not large enough to store a tank full of air as has heretofore been done. The result of this is simplicity of apparatus and of operation and much lower first cost. IVe consider this to constitute a novel method of operation which we have claimed in the appended claims.

It will be understood that instead ot' stopping and starting the driving motor the automatic governor may control merely clutching and unclutching the compressor to a suitable source of power.

It will now be apparent that air and water storage tanks and the like have been eliminated from our improved system, thereby providing a system involving a minimum number of parts and thereby effecting a great saving in operation and first cost of installation.

The features of eliminating the use of an air tank and of automatically controlling an air or fluid driven displacement pump by the pressure in the water discharge main or the air supply main are highly important aspects of our invention.

It is to be understood that our invention may appear in other forms and may be used for other purposes.

IVe claim:

l. In combination, an air displacement pump, a compressor and a motor suitable f'or automatic control, pressure controlled means for governing the motor, a normally closed air supply pipe, a normally closed water discharge pipe having a controllable outlet, steady flow means in said water discharge pipe for absorbing energy during the discharging period of the pump and giving it out during the refilling period of the pump to maintain a continuous flow upon opening the outlet, air supplying means for said steadyv flow means and a connection between said water discharge system and the pressure controlled means.

2. In combination, an air displacementpump, a base having a compressor and prime mover of relatively small capacity mounted thereupon, means for conveying air directly from said compressor to said pump, a normally closed water discharge system, and an automatic pressure controlled switch mounted upon said base, said pressure controlled switch being subject to the pressure in said water discharge system for controlling the prime mover.

3. An air displacement pump having a water discharge system and an air compressor automatically controlled by the variation of pressure in the water discharge system of the pump.

4. An air displacement pump having a water discharge system and an air compressor automatically controlled by the variation of the pressure in the water discharge system of the pump, the delivery capa-city of the compressor being substantially equal to that of the pump.

5. In combination, a source of power, means for obtaining a fluid pressure, a liq uid pump operated by said fluid pressure, the capacity of said fluid pressure obtaining means being substantially equal to the capacity of said liquid pump and pressure controlled means subject to the pressure of the discharging liquid for connecting the source of power to the fluid pressure means.

6. In combination an vair displacement pump, a slab forming a mounting for a compressor, a motor, pressure controlled means mounted upon said slab, a normally closed air supply pipe leading directly from the compressor to the pump, a normally closed water discharge system, said pressure controlled means being subject to the pressure in said water discharge system for governing the prime'mover.

7. In combination, a source of power, means for obtaining a fluid pressure, a liquid pump operated by said fluid pressure, said pump having a discharge system, and means in said discharge system for connecting the source lof power to the fluid pressure means.

8. In combination, means for obtaining a fluid pressure, a liquid pump operated by said fluid pressure, said pump having a discharge system, and means in said discharge system for controlling the fluid pressure means.

In Witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names, this 7th day of December, 1918.

BURTON S. AIKMAN. PETER C. MGNUL'IY, J R. 

